‘Forced to drink urine’: Jail inmates allege inhuman treatment, probe ordered

Agra: The Kasganj administration on Saturday set up a three-member probe panel after inmates of Kasganj district jail levelled shocking allegations of torture, including one prisoner allegedly being forced to drink urine.The matter came to light on Friday when several inmates, brought to court hearings, told relatives and lawyers that ever since new jail superintendent Rajesh Kumar took charge, they have been subjected to inhuman treatment and frequent beatings.The revelations triggered protests by relatives and lawyers outside the court. Shashi, wife of inmate Mini Maheshwari and a resident of Kasganj's Nadari Gate, submitted a written complaint to CM Yogi Adityanath, alleging her husband has been beaten for 8–10 days.

She also claimed that during a recent visit, she was subjected to an objectionable search — "frisking without clothes" — in the name of security check. A copy of her complaint was also sent to prison minister Dara Singh Chauhan, the state human rights commission, IG (Prisons), the district magistrate and the SP.The jail currently houses over 500 inmates and convicts. Relatives alleged that outside food has been banned while canteen items are sold at three times the market price.

Kallu, an inmate produced in court, said, "The jail staff beat us regularly. Even the meeting with the family has been stopped. A case has come to light where a convicted prisoner was beaten and forced to drink urine."Mursrat, who came from Sahawar to meet her husband, said, "My husband is a diabetes patient. They don't allow food from outside and say, ‘ask for money from home and buy from the canteen'. But everything is extremely expensive now.

Earlier, it wasn't like this. We were told if we spoke out, inmates would be shifted to another jail where no family meetings are allowed."Advocate Keshav Mishra said, "Inmates told me they have been on a hunger strike for two days. The new jailer behaves rudely and inhumanely toward prisoners. He is imposing restrictions, illegally extorting money from families, and harassing women visitors. The matter must be investigated."Kasganj DM Pranay Singh told TOI: "After the complaint came to our notice, a committee has been formed consisting of the SDM (sadar), the circle officer (Kasganj) and the district probation officer (two female officers). The panel will visit the prison, take inmates' statements and check CCTV footage. The report will be submitted in two days and will also be sent to the home and prison departments. DG (prisons) is aware of the matter.

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